HR Consulting Solutions is a full service HR consulting and executive search firm that has been retained by Premier Candle Corporation to conduct a search for an experiencedQuality Assurance Manager to lead manufacturing operations at their facility in Hickory, Kentucky

ABOUT PREMIER CANDLE

Premier Candle is a leading manufacturer of scented candles and home fragrance products. Formerly known as Mayfield Consumer Products, the company has undergone significant transformation and investment in recent years following the devastating tornado that impacted the facility and community in 2021. Today, Premier Candle is focused on rebuilding, modernizing operations, investing in people, and creating a culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence. The organization operates multiple production lines and continues to invest in automation, equipment upgrades, process improvements, quality systems, and employee development to support long-term growth.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced quality leader who thrives in a fast-paced manufacturing environment and enjoys building strong teams, improving quality systems, solving complex problems, and ensuring products consistently meet customer expectations and regulatory requirements.

POSITION SUMMARY

Reporting to the VP of Operations, the Quality Assurance Manager will provide strategic direction, technical expertise, and day-to-day leadership for Premier Candle’s Quality Department. This position is responsible for overseeing quality assurance and quality control activities to ensure manufacturing methods, materials, processes, and finished products meet company standards, customer specifications, regulatory requirements, and applicable Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP).

The Quality Assurance Manager will oversee the company’s Quality Management System (QMS), analytical data collection, regulatory compliance, internal auditing, investigations, validation activities, documentation, and the timely and appropriate release of Raw Material (RM) lots, Bulk Formula (BF) batches, and Finished Goods (FG) lots.

This position will also lead and develop quality personnel, partner closely with Operations and other departments, support customer and regulatory audits, analyze quality and operational data, and drive continuous improvement initiatives designed to prevent defects, improve processes, reduce costs, and strengthen overall product quality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Quality Management & Regulatory Compliance

• Manage and continuously improve the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure products consistently meet customer expectations, company standards, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance for regulated products by following established test methods and procedures related to FDA, EPA, and micro-susceptible product and process requirements.
• Manage and direct quality functions in accordance with established protocols, cGMP, Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Documentation Practices, and applicable safety requirements.
• Develop and maintain processes for inspecting and evaluating product quality against company standards and customer specifications.
• Review analytical and testing data and authorize the release of Raw Material (RM) lots, Bulk Formula (BF) batches, and Finished Goods (FG) lots.
• Ensure quality processes, testing methods, documentation, and controls are consistently and accurately executed throughout the organization.

Investigations, CAPA & Continuous Improvement

• Lead and approve Out-of-Specification (OOS) investigations.
• Serve as a Lead or Associate Investigator and provide analytical, inspection, and technical support for OOS, Deviation, and Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) investigations.
• Utilize advanced problem-solving and root cause analysis skills to investigate quality issues, identify effective solutions, and implement corrective action plans.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on preventing defects, improving processes, reducing waste, increasing efficiency, and lowering costs.
• Identify recurring quality concerns and work cross-functionally to implement sustainable corrective and preventive measures.
• Develop and execute quality assurance protocols that provide clear guidance and support to employees and project teams.

Quality Systems, Documentation & Validation

• Write, review, and/or approve quality documentation, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Work Instructions (WIs), forms, logs, and training materials.
• Develop, maintain, and oversee the execution of validation protocols.
• Ensure documentation practices support regulatory compliance, consistency, traceability, and effective manufacturing operations.
• Maintain appropriate quality records and ensure information is accurate, complete, and readily available for internal review, customer audits, and regulatory inspections.
• Evaluate existing quality processes and recommend improvements to systems, procedures, workflows, and controls.

Audits & Regulatory Inspections

• Perform and assist with announced and unannounced internal audits of company departments and systems to ensure compliance with company policies, objectives, and cGMP requirements.
• Serve as a key Quality Department resource during external customer audits and regulatory inspections.
• Support the preparation, coordination, and follow-up activities associated with audits and inspections.
• Identify audit findings and compliance concerns and ensure appropriate corrective actions are developed, implemented, and monitored.

Data Analysis & Quality Performance

• Review and analyze quality and operations-related metrics, KPIs, testing results, and reports to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
• Perform periodic reviews of quality data and develop meaningful figures, trends, reports, and analyses.
• Present quality performance, findings, trends, risks, and recommended actions to Premier Candle’s senior leadership team.
• Draw sound conclusions from analytical data and communicate findings clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Use data and performance metrics to drive accountability, corrective action, process improvement, and informed decision-making.

Leadership & Team Development

• Provide leadership, direction, coaching, and technical guidance to employees within the Quality Department.
• Establish clear job expectations, performance standards, priorities, and accountability for departmental employees.
• Develop employees through collaborative growth plans, coaching, training, and ongoing performance feedback.
• Ensure Quality Department personnel receive the training and resources necessary to meet company, customer, regulatory, and job-specific requirements.
• Conduct and maintain employee performance evaluations and support the professional growth and development of team members.
• Ensure positions within the Quality Department are staffed with qualified individuals and assist with hiring, onboarding, development, and retention.
• Promote open communication, teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement throughout the department.

Departmental & Resource Management

• Monitor departmental efficiency and recommend improvements to organizational structure, work processes, staffing, and resource allocation.
• Manage Quality Department resources, including equipment, consumables, staffing, and overtime, to maximize safety, productivity, efficiency, and cost effectiveness.
• Lead strategic, budgetary, departmental growth, and development planning for the Quality Department.
• Ensure projects and departmental initiatives are completed within established timelines and budget expectations.
• Manage applicable administrative responsibilities for Quality Department personnel.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner closely with Operations, Production, R&D, project teams, and other departments to ensure quality requirements are understood and consistently achieved.
• Provide technical guidance and quality support to project managers and cross-functional teams.
• Communicate quality issues, risks, findings, and corrective actions clearly and proactively to appropriate stakeholders.
• Build strong working relationships across the organization and promote a culture in which quality is viewed as a shared responsibility.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Life Sciences, or another appropriate field.
• Minimum of five (5) years of experience in a quality, analytical, microbiological, or life science role within a manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated knowledge of quality assurance and quality control principles within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with FDA, EPA, and/or other applicable regulatory requirements.
• Working knowledge of cGMP, GLP, Good Documentation Practices, quality systems, and regulated manufacturing processes.
• Experience with quality investigations, root cause analysis, corrective actions, and continuous improvement.
• Experience developing, reviewing, and maintaining quality documentation, including SOPs and Work Instructions.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret data, identify trends, and implement effective corrective actions.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and effectively manage personnel, priorities, projects, and resources with minimal supervision.
• Strong leadership, organizational, decision-making, and communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and Word.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

The following qualifications and experience are strongly preferred:

• Advanced degree in Life Sciences or a related discipline
• Five (5) or more years of managerial experience, seven (7) years of supervisory experience, or an appropriate combination of leadership experience
• Experience in a regulated manufacturing environment
• Consumer packaged goods (CPG) manufacturing experience
• Quality Management System (QMS) leadership
• FDA and EPA regulatory compliance
• cGMP and GLP environments
• Out-of-Specification (OOS) investigations
• Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) processes
• Internal, customer, and regulatory audits
• Validation protocols
• Statistical and quality data analysis
• Process improvement and optimization
• Risk management
• ASQ membership and/or certification
• Six Sigma certification

KEY COMPETENCIES

• Quality Assurance & Quality Control
• Quality Management Systems
• Regulatory Compliance
• cGMP & GLP
• CAPA & OOS Investigations
• Root Cause Analysis
• Internal & External Auditing
• Validation
• Data Analysis & Reporting
• Process Improvement & Optimization
• Risk Management
• Problem Solving
• Leadership & Team Development
• Detail Orientation
• Adaptability & Resilience
• Emotional Intelligence
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Written & Verbal Communication
• Accountability & Results Orientation

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This position is based within a fast-paced manufacturing environment and requires regular interaction with Quality personnel, Production, Operations, R&D, project teams, senior leadership, customers, and other cross-functional departments.

The Quality Assurance Manager should expect to spend time both in an office/laboratory setting and throughout the manufacturing facility supporting quality activities, reviewing processes, investigating issues, coaching employees, conducting audits, and driving continuous improvement.

WHY WORK FOR PREMIER

• Competitive compensation, commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Paid vacation and company holidays
• 401(k) retirement savings opportunities with company matching
• Professional growth and advancement opportunities
• High-impact leadership position within a growing manufacturing organization
• Opportunity to lead and strengthen quality systems during an exciting period of transformation and investment
• Ability to directly influence product quality, regulatory compliance, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement
• Collaborative leadership team committed to safety, quality, accountability, and operational excellence

QUESTIONS?

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We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind. Our company is committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and applicants, providing everyone with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment. All employment decisions within our organization are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. We will not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on any of these characteristics.